Illinois News Roundup for Monday, May 7

Published on May 7 2012 3:56 pm
Last Updated on July 14 2013 12:07 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

>>Taylor Concedes In Illinois House Race

(Springfield, IL) -- Another race for the Illinois' House of Representatives is finally over. Democrat Winston Taylor is conceding in the 96th District, which covers Sangamon, Macon, and Christian counties. He fell to Michael Madigan backed Sue Scherer by 69 votes in the March primary but says the district hasn't seen the last of him. Taylor plans to remain active and fight to see job growth and reduced violence in the community.

>>Acne Medication Allegedly Causes Death

(Campbell Hill, IL) -- An acne medication is being blamed for the death of a 13-year old Campbell Hill boy. Tara McCarthy's son committed suicide two months ago and she says possible side effects from the drug Doxycycline may have been a factor. McCarthy tells WSIL TV she has no way of proving the claim but believes more research needs to be done to determine how it affects a young man's hormones. The FDA is investigating but in the meantime, McCarthy would like to see a warning label added on the packaging.

>>Buffalo Gnats Starting To Appear

(Jacksonville, IL) -- People in West Central Illinois are likely trying to fight off buffalo gnats. The annoying insects have been out in full force from May to July for the last couple of years. Illinois College Biology Professor Larry Zettler says he's starting to see them in his yard. The gnats can bite and often cause skin irritations, but Zettler says anyone who owns chickens, pheasants or turkeys should watch out because the bugs seem to like poultry more than humans.

>>Illinois Congressman Help Pilots In Protest

(Undated) -- An Illinois congressman is backing two Air National Guard pilots who have refused to fly the Air Force's newest fighter jet. The pilots went public about their actions and have sought help from an Illinois congressman Adam Kinzinger under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act. Major Jeremy Gordon and Captain Joshua Wilson appeared on "60 Minutes" yesterday, saying they have risked their careers because of concerns about the F-22 Raptor plane's oxygen delivery system.

>>Opposition Stalls Proposed Victims' Rights Amendment

(Springfield, IL) -- Last-minute opposition from both attorneys and prosecutors appears to have killed a victim's rights amendment in the Illinois Legislature. The constitutional amendment would have given crime victims enhanced standing in the legal process. But concerns that such rights could make it hander for defense attorneys and prosecutors brought powerful opposition to the amendment, effectively killing it. Backers say they'll bring the bill back for the next session.

>>Centreville Man Charged In East St. Louis Homicide

(Belleville, IL) -- St. Clair County prosecutors charge Donzell Curry of Centreville with first-degree murder in the death of a woman found in East St. Louis. Police found the body of Nyosha Lache White of Sparta early on Sunday morning on North 39th Street. She had been shot once in the head. Curry is being held in the St. Clair County Jail in lieu of two-million dollars bail.

>>GOP Narrows Field To Replace Rep. Johnson

(Springfield, IL) -- Republican officials have narrowed the field to four candidates for the November ballot spot of retiring Urbana Congressman Tim Johnson. His replacement on the November 6th ballot will be chosen May 19th by Republican county chairmen in his district. The finalists are former Johnson Chief of Staff Jerry Clarke; congressional aide Rodney Davis; former Miss America-turned-attorney Erika Harold; and businesswoman Kathy Wassink.

>>Couple In Illinois Ponzi Scheme Caught In Arizona

(Tonopah, AZ) -- An Illinois Couple convicted of running a Ponzi scheme in Peoria have been arrested in rural Arizona. The couple, Nelson and Janet Hallahan, were arrested Saturday in Tonopah, Arizona, after their case appeared on "America's Most Wanted" on Friday night. They defrauded investors of more than one-point-two-million dollars. They were convicted 12 years ago for bank fraud and money laundering but never showed up for sentencing and have been on the run since January 2000.